It has been a while since I’ve written much of anything. Blame it on a mix of lousy work hours, procrastination and just plain laziness. So what film could have possibly gotten me out of this non-writing slump I’ve been in for too long? Not a big blockbuster flick, but a small Irish animated film “The Secret of Kells”. Like most people, I’d never heard of Kells until around the time of the
2009 Academy Awards. Kells beat out other animated films like “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “Ponyo”. The film has been touring across the US, and was a big hit at the IFC Theater over in NY. Last Friday marked Kells debut on the West Coast. I decided to steer clear of reviews so I could go in without any expectations.

Inspired by the Book of Kells“Secret of Kells” tells the story of Brendan, a 12-year boywho lives with his uncle Abbot Cellach. Abbot and the other monks in thevillage are busy building a wall around the place to keep out the impending Viking attacks. One day the village is visited buy Brother Aidan, a wise monk who brings with him a book that’s said to blind the sinners and bring light into dark times. It’s not too long until Brendan embarks on an adventure to help complete the book of Kells and become an illuminator. Along the way,Brendan befriends a forest fairy name Aisling, who ads him in his quest.

Kells is a truly unique film in many ways. The animation and art style is beautifully done in 2D. Nothing is made to look third dimensional,very much like the work of Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Lab, the good Clone Wars series). If any CG was used, I couldn’t tell. The voice work
was also well done. It’s nice to know that Brendan was actually voice by a12-year old boy instead of some 45-year old woman. The most recognizable actorin the film is Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges, Harry Potter, Beowulf) who does agreat job as the stern, but caring uncle Abbot.